WASHINGTON – Pedro Strop walked around the Orioles clubhouse with a big smile on his face. On Saturday, with the bullpen overworked, the Orioles put the struggling Strop on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back. The Orioles are trying to find a way to help Strop. Not only can he be sidelined for the DL period, but he can be sent to the minors for a rehab assignment that can last up to 30 days. "Strop will start throwing again in a few days, manager Buck Showalter said".

Showalter indirectly criticized the timing of the World Baseball Classic, saying that spring training was the only time pitching coaches can really work on fundamentals with relievers.

Strop missed an extended time with the Orioles in March so he could pitch with the Dominican Republic team that won the WBC. Early in spring training, Strop was throwing harder than perhaps he would have thrown in a year that didn’t feature the WBC. He seemed more amped up earlier in the spring than he would have been normally.

“Pete would say it would be an excuse,” Showalter said. “It was a different clock. As long as you’re going to have [the WBC], it’s going to be a challenge.”